The award winning Valparaiso High School Jazz Bands performed yet another amazing performance for their second year at the Ballroom at Aberdeen Manor on February 24, 2012. The night was an elegant evening of Big Band and Swing Era music and dancing. In addition to the entertainment, light appetizers and two soft drinks were part of the ticket cost of only $15.

“The band actually performed the Jazz Concert for about 30 years at the high school and for several years before the high school, they performed at Valparaiso University, and I am sure that we will have this concert for many years to come!” explained Mr. Daniel Pritchett, the director of bands and music department at Valparaiso High School.

Mr. Miguel Rosario, the assistant director of bands, stated while grinning from ear to ear, “Terrific evening with top quality-notch performances! The BEST party in town. We were so proud to have sold out show more than a week ago...it’s just fantastic!” The Valparaiso Parent Band Association sold all 300 tickets to tonight’s concert a week ago and was still getting more requests for tickets.

Mr. Pritchett has a student teacher this semester from Indiana University in Bloomington, Grace Saunders, helping conduct some of tonight’s event. Miss Saunders has been working with the students at Valparaiso High School since January 5th and will remain in the classroom until the end of her semester in May. Miss Saunders said, “I requested to work with a band director who is a really strong teacher and knows what he is doing, and they placed me here.” She is enjoying her time with the students and learning from the teachers.

Various restaurants from Valparaiso stepped up and donated gift certificates to the Valparaiso Parent Band Association to raffle to raise additional funds for the band.

Laura Wassilak came to tonight’s concert with her husband Douglas to support the band and to just have a good time friends. Laura stated, “These kids are really good, and I have really enjoyed listening to them! I am blown away by their maturity at such a young age.” She was also curious about how many of the students would be pursuing music after high school.

“We appreciate Aberdeen, all the students, and their parents for all the hard work they do to make this night happen,” added Mr. Rosario. ”It’s such a good-fun night!”